Using ISO14000 to Develop a Vision of "Moving Toward Zero Waste" Vision and Common Principles
The Waste Management Program applied the Environmental Management System (EMS) ISO 14000, to its policy development work from August 2000 to June 2002. This pilot project was one of six within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is unique in that it is the only one to focus on policy development, rather than operations. Consistent with EMS, the central point of focus was the question, "Where should we spend our resources to affect the greatest environmental gains?" Extensive stakeholder involvement was a cornerstone throughout the course of the work.
Engaging stakeholders as partners to design the process and then develop the end product was essential to establishing common expectations and a shared vision of how Wisconsin should best move forward. A key first step was creating a shared foundation (a statement explicitly outlining common principles) for how the Waste Program and its stakeholders would work together to achieve effective waste and materials management.
Working from that shared foundation, the vision of "Moving Toward Zero Waste" became the focal point for policy development through 2008. Four priority goals were identified to direct work activity that would create the greatest environmental gain: 1) minimize and prevent waste; 2) minimize the potential for environmental impacts of landfills; 3) eliminate backyard burning and dumping;, and 4) develop effective education programs to support the previous goal areas. More information about our strategic goals and short term objectives to meet the goals is available on our Goals & Objectives Web page.
Significant gains in the future will require focused and difficult policy decisions in order to help us reach well beyond the current levels of waste management. This project sets both the expectation for stakeholder involvement as well as the commitment to shared principles to continue to improve and create innovative waste and materials management policies in Wisconsin.
Please forward any comments regarding the "Moving Toward Zero Waste: A Shared Vision For Wisconsin's Future" Report to Suzanne Bangert at Suzanne.Bangert@Wisconsin.gov.
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